...Jackson Blair
BOYS WILL BE BOYS
Recently there has been a “dust-up” at the Master’s Golf
Tournament. It is old news to anyone who follows these things. Seems the “boys”
down at that club, which by the way is a private club, really do not want to
admit any “girls.”
It is only fair to note that some time in the past the
“boys” at the Club also permitted only black caddies. But after some sturm
und drang, they gave up that rule.
Seems they are dug in on the “No Girls” rule, though.
It reminds me of Spanky and the Our Gang movie kids. They
were always trying to get away from the girls. Charles Schulz furthered a boy’s
concern by depicting Lucy, the female nemesis of Charlie Brown.
It is an age- old conundrum: can’t live with them; can’t
live without them.
Many years ago I was a member of The University Club of New
York City. It was a time when the Club admitted only males. A savvy Mayor and
ambitious Governor decided if the “boys” were going to have their companies pay
their dues, and if the “boys” were going to discuss business deals while in the
clubhouse and pay for everything with their corporate expense accounts, then
“girls” had to be included.
Let me tell you that the meeting of the membership that took
place on that situation is not one I will soon forget.
In the end the old “boys” gave in. Seems when it came to
money and licenses, they would rather welcome women than close down.
I saw a similar event occur at the venerable old Duquesne
Club in Pittsburgh, PA. I expect it happened all over the United States.
Except in Georgia!
Those fellas at Augusta National Golf Club have manned
(sorry about that word choice) their sand traps, taken hold of their pin
markers, and continue to refuse to give the gals a membership.
Those Southern Gentlemen who comprise the member list of
Augusta National Golf Club do not bend in the wind, not even in a hurricane.
When President Eisenhower played golf, he particularly loved
to play at Augusta. Unfortunately, on one hole he regularly bounced his drive
off of a large tree. He and that tree “went steady” for so long he finally
asked the club to remove it. Not only did they refuse to remove the tree, they
named it after him! And now in every playing of the Masters, commentators
make regular reference to the "Eisenhower Tree."
Now the cheese begins to bind here. So get ready!
I am from the “old school.” I think the boys ought to be
allowed their own havens away from the world (and from the girls), and I think
the girls ought to have the same protection for their havens.
Fortunately, my wife agrees with me.
Being of the “old school” can be viewed in many
ways. For us
it simply means we were comfortable with many of the ways life used to
be lived
and as the world begins to change the rules and waddles on toward a
new dawn and unknown horizons, we are still able to appreciate the
positives of what will soon be by-gone ways. we comfort ourselves in
the foundations that
existed while we were growing up and living our lives.
We also are comforted knowing that all the “movers and
shakers” today will soon be those championing their “old school” foundations as
society moves on from their generation.
Neither of us sees any reason why folks should be legally
required to open the doors of their privately funded social institutions to
anyone. At the same time, both of us agree that these kinds of organizations have to be 100%
social in nature.
No human being should be excluded from an organization where
business is conducted. Fair play requires open doors.
So back to the Augusta National Golf Club.
The head of IBM, a female, is refused membership. IBM
sponsors the Masters Tournament. IBM kicks in “gazillions” in support for the
Masters Tournament. Previous chairmen of IBM were offered membership in the
Augusta National Golf Club.
Are they still 100% social down there in Georgia?
Or do I smell money and sponsorship hanging down from those
beautiful old trees like moss and conjuring up thoughts of new computers in
every home?
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